Friends of Western Sydney launches to back the students shaping the region’s future

Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO; Ms Katie Page, CEO of Harvey Norman, and Founding Ambassador of Friends of Western Sydney; and Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AC

Western Sydney University has launched Friends of Western Sydney, a major new campaign bringing together staff, alumni, partners, businesses and community supporters to back student success and Western Sydney’s future workforce.

The campaign launched at the Stay the Course Walk on 22 September 2026, where hundreds of participants walked together in support of talented and ambitious students. The walk started at the Parramatta South campus.

Funds raised through the campaign will support scholarships, just-in-time grants, and wraparound services to help students succeed in their studies and achieve their goals. The campaign will also connect students to internships, industry placements, mentoring and employment with partner businesses — building the professional workforce pipeline for Western Sydney.

With the rising cost of living adding pressure for students, one in two students at Western Sydney University are struggling to get enough food during the week, making practical support an important part of helping students stay on track.

The campaign comes as Western Sydney enters one of the most significant periods of transformation in the region’s history. With nation-defining projects like the new Western Sydney International Airport, the Bradfield City Centre, Powerhouse Parramatta and Sydney Metro creating unmatched opportunity for the region.

Friends of Western Sydney will bring together supporters committed to the next generation of doctors, lawyers, educators, nurses, engineers, and professionals who will lead and give back to one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most diverse regions.

Western Sydney University recently launched its new Charge Towards Change brand, reflecting the University’s ambition to challenge what is possible, create opportunity and prepare graduates for the jobs of tomorrow.

Western Sydney University Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AC said Friends of Western Sydney was about ensuring the people of Western Sydney are front and centre in the region’s future.

"Western Sydney is already Australia’s third-largest economy and it is growing at an extraordinary pace, creating enormous opportunities for the region and our community. We need local people with the skills, qualifications and confidence to step into the jobs being created. Friends of Western Sydney brings together business, philanthropy and community support to help students stay in university, complete their degrees and become the workforce this region needs," said Professor Westacott.

Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO said the initiative was about ensuring students have opportunities to succeed and would see the community come together for the Stay the Course walk.

"Stay the Course is about backing our students and their ambitions. They are talented, diverse, resilient and adaptable, but we need to ensure they have the support and opportunities to succeed. There is no university better placed than ours to support students and communities as Western Sydney undergoes such profound transformation," said Professor Williams.

Katie Page, CEO of Harvey Norman, has joined as the Founding Ambassador of Friends of Western Sydney, lending her voice to the campaign and building on her extensive support for students and the region’s future.

Ms Page’s appointment builds on a deep association with Western Sydney University. Since 2015, Ms Page and Harvey Norman have supported scholarship opportunities for more than 100 talented and deserving students from diverse backgrounds, including women, students from refugee backgrounds and high-achieving students.

“To say we are Friends of Western Sydney is an understatement. Harvey Norman is at home in Western Sydney. Equally, hundreds of our staff and thousands of our customers call Western Sydney home. Every business that succeeds because of this powerhouse region, like Harvey Norman, can demonstrate our passion and commitment for our home and our neighbours by supporting Friends of Western Sydney. I will be there for the inaugural Western Sydney University Stay the Course walk on 22 September. We need every Western Sydney University student to know their education and contribution is fundamental to the success of Greater Western Sydney. Support the walk so that the students know they are our future colleagues and team leaders,” said Ms Page.

That commitment continued through the Harvey Norman Young Women’s Leadership Academy led by Ms Page, established through a $7.9 million philanthropic donation from Harvey Norman. Delivered by Western Sydney University and piloted at Auburn Girls High School, the first-of-its-kind program supports the leadership, confidence, resilience and educational pathways of young women in Western Sydney through mentoring, learning grants, university scholarships, family engagement and research-led impact.

The Academy also includes the Page Fellows Mentoring Program, creating opportunities for Auburn Girls High School graduates who progress to Western Sydney University to further develop their leadership skills by mentoring younger students at their high school and surrounding primary schools.

Ms Page is the first of a group of ambassadors who will join Friends of Western Sydney, bringing together influential voices from business, community, alumni and other sectors to champion the region’s students and future.

Derya Elbadawy, a Bachelor of Criminology and Bachelor of Laws student from Parramatta and recipient of the Rachael & David Chin Law Scholarship, said the support had given her confidence to pursue her goals.

“The environment and the support have given me the confidence that I can really do this and help advocate for those in need of a voice in the justice system. Knowing I have this network to ensure I get the support I need to keep going forward with my degree makes a big difference. It gives me a chance to see my own potential,” said Derya.

“We don't only care about success, as students we also care about impacting our future and reaching our goals while helping the world around us.”

For more information, please visit https://donate.give.westernsydney.edu.au/

ENDS.

22 September 2026
Photo credit: Sally Tsoutas
Media Unit